The most prolific manufacturer
of digital cameras, Sony was also one of the first to introduce a 5-megapixel
model, the DSC-F707 in 2001, later replaced by the F717. The company's
latest high-end 5-Mp camera, the DSC-V1, should become more popular,
thanks to its smaller size and lighter weight. This model is absolutely
loaded with capabilities, including most of the features that we expect
in an SLR camera--plus some night shooting options exclusive to
Sony.

During early summer, I shot over 200 images of various subjects including
outdoor portraits of grads before their prom, cycle race competitors,
flower gardens, street performers, and re-enactors dressed as British
Redcoats. The DSC-V1 proved to be very responsive and quick, and my
best images made large prints of exhibition quality.

Camera Characteristics
And Capabilities
Somewhat boxy and traditional in style, the DSC-V1 is a bit thick but
still fits into a large shirt pocket. Because of its many aluminum components,
the camera is rugged and surprisingly light in weight. Like many "prosumer"
models, this one includes several analog buttons, dials and switches for
quickly selecting certain features and for making some settings. This
is also one of the few compact cameras to include a hot shoe for a high-powered
accessory flash unit (HVL-F32X) useful for distant subjects and in low-light
conditions.

Because the camera includes a vast range of capabilities and overrides
(as detailed in the Facts chart), many features do require access to one
of the electronic menus. The first is available via the Set Up option
on the mode selector dial while the other is accessed with the Menu button.
Like an SLR camera, this one also provides a great deal of data in the
LCD screen as to modes, settings, f/stop, shutter speed, exposure histogram,
and even the remaining memory card and battery capacity. Clearly, Sony
is targeting the experienced photo enthusiast with this camera.

Image quality in high resolution TIFF mode is remarkable.
This illustration shows only a small part (15 percent
) of a full image, sized for making a 10x13" print
at 280dpi and optimized for printing in Photoshop. Most
photographers who view the oversized ink jet glossy hanging
on my wall believe that it was made with a
6-Mp SLR camera. (At f/7.1 at ISO 100 in TIFF capture;
Macro mode; image file increased from 14.5MB to 28MB with
bicubic interpolation.)

Quick Draw
The DSC-V1 is also very quick. Start up time is a mere 3 seconds. Because
there is no obvious wait for focusing or shutter lag, the camera is ideal
for capturing a fleeting gesture. Image recording time is short, only
2 seconds in the large/fine JPEG mode. Shoot three 5-Mp frames at a fast
2 fps, and the camera is ready to shoot another burst in 9 seconds. The
only commonly-used feature that's slow is TIFF capture. Recording
time for an uncompressed 14.5MB image is a full 45 seconds; it's
worth the wait, for the finest possible image quality.

A few unusual features are also worth noting here. The first is the "Smart
Zoom" system that allows digital zoom only at lower image sizes
and only when zooming will not affect image quality. Sony's low-light
shooting options are even more fascinating. Select Hologram autofocus
and a special laser system (safe for human eyes) projects a bright red
cross-hatched hologram pattern onto the subject. More effective than a
conventional focus assist beam, this allows for autofocusing in low-light,
although focus acquisition takes a second or so in very dark locations.

Because it's impossible to compose an image in the dark, the DSC-V1
includes a NightFraming mode. When selected, the camera projects infrared
(IR) beams onto the subject to produce a monochromatic image in the LCD
screen for framing the photo. After focus is achieved, the exposure is
made with TTL flash for a nicely-lit photo. NightShot IR mode is quite
different, intended for taking infrared pictures of a nearby subject in
total darkness without flash. When selected, the camera employs the IR
illuminators to make an exposure at a shutter speed of a mere 1 second
(at ISO 100) and Noise Reduction is automatically activated.

With its unique laser hologram AF assist system, the DSC-V1
will autofocus even in total darkness. In NightFraming mode
(above), the camera produces a nicely lit image with TTL
flash. The effect is quite different in the NightFraming
IR mode (below) that employs only IR beams to light the
subject generating so-called infrared images. (Both in Program
mode at ISO 100 and f/3.5; IR image: 1 sec exposure, with
+0.7 exposure compensation.)

Evaluation: Simple
to operate in its basic modes, the DSC-V1 becomes more complicated when
you want to access the subject specific Program modes and most of the
advanced capabilities. Frankly, too many features require access to the
electronic menus. Hunting for the desired option is slow, and some features
are difficult to find. Because operation is not intuitive, a full study
of the instruction manual is essential in order to exploit this multi-talented
camera's vast potential.

While I appreciated the data provided in the LCD screen, the numerals
are tiny and difficult to see, especially in bright light. A camera of
this size and price range should include a larger monitor with a better
anti-reflective coating. This nit-picking aside, I considered the DSC-V1
to be extremely fast and versatile. I missed only one feature: greater
burst depth. The ability to shoot more than three frames in a series would
make it even more useful in action and candid picture taking.

Anyone who frequently takes
flash photos in low-light will certainly appreciate hologram autofocus.
In very dark conditions, the NightFraming mode can also be useful. While
it's not easy to frame a subject in darkness using the rather dim
infrared image on the LCD screen, it is certainly possible. In my tests,
both focus and flash exposure were close to perfect with subjects that
were up to 6 feet from the camera. Because the NightShot IR mode generates
pictures that are green-toned, grainy, and dark around the edges, this
system is more of a novelty.

Field Test Results
After setting up the DSC-V1 for a specific subject type and the lighting
condition, I found the camera to be very reliable. The five-point autofocus
system was useful for quick shooting with an off-center subject while
the single-point autofocus allowed me to focus on the eyes in portrait
shots. I particularly appreciated the Continuous autofocus mode for moving
cyclists during a race. While the system is not super fast, it worked
well with competitors working their way up a hill. I found no need for
manual focus but it would be useful for landscapes and some still life
compositions.

With
its quick response, Continuous autofocus system, 5 point
AF sensor, and the 2 fps Burst mode, the DSCX-V1 often produced
a series of three sharply focused images of moving subjects.
While the AF system was not designed for sports photography,
it's certainly effective with more typical (slower)
subjects. (At 1/250 sec in Shutter Priority AE mode; +0.7
exposure compensation; fine/large JPEG capture.)

In multi-pattern metering,
the camera tended to underexpose light tones and overexpose mid tones
slightly, easily corrected with exposure compensation. The forced flash
system was useful for fill-lighting in bright conditions, producing a
fairly subtle effect with the output set to "low." With its
TTL flash system, still rare in prosumer cameras, this Sony model certainly
produced pleasing flash photos both indoors and out.

The camera's white balance performance was quite good on sunny days
and in flash exposures. Although some images are slightly warm (yellow)
in tone, that's easy to correct with Auto Color or a minor color
balance adjustment in Photoshop; this step is worthwhile, especially for
the best skin tones. Images made without flash in shade or on cloudy days
(with "Auto" or "Cloudy Day" white balance) often
exhibit a blue or a yellow color cast. Skin tones are unattractive, especially
when shooting in the default setting for color saturation. For better
results with portraits of grads and cyclists, I needed to do some serious
color balance correction in Photoshop before making prints suitable for
framing.

The DSC-V1 allowed me to control motion and depth of field--as well
as every other image parameter--great for serious photography. While
this is a subjective judgment, I found the default level for color, contrast
and sharpness excessively high. Anyone experienced with one of the Photoshop
programs should set these factors to low. Fine-tune the images as necessary
with the software and the resulting prints will often be outstanding.
Evaluation: The DCS-V1 is a successful and versatile camera that
should satisfy the photo enthusiast who is not yet ready for a digital
SLR system. While it can be used for snapshooting in Program mode, it
would be most appropriate for an experienced shooter who will use the
wealth of options to control all aspects of an image. The color cast problem
in some lighting conditions can be overcome with Photoshop or with the
Custom White Balance option: using a white card to calibrate the system
for very accurate results.

Image Quality Assessment
Thanks to the USB 2.0 interface, uploading numerous images to my PC was
very quick. As expected with a 5-Mp camera with a Carl Zeiss lens of superb
quality, the TIFF images, made at ISO 100, exhibit remarkable quality
and little evidence of "purple fringing" (chromatic aberration).
At 100 percent magnification on my monitor, they're clean and smooth,
with exceptional clarity and great resolution of fine detail, suitable
for very good 10x13" prints after doubling the file size in Photoshop.

Because TIFF recording time is quite long, I generally worked in JPEG
large/fine mode at ISO 100 producing images that opened as 14.5MB files.
These are almost as impressive as the TIFF files. Edges are sharp, not
jagged and JPEG artifacts--caused by the 6:1 compression--are
barely noticeable. More importantly, my best 9x12" prints are outstanding,
drawing rave reviews from family and friends. Images made at ISO 200 are
still quite good, with slight digital noise in shadow areas, but at each
higher ISO setting, the colored specks become more obvious.

With
its high grade Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar lens, Super HAD 5-Mp
sensor and sophisticated processing system, the DSC-V1 often
produced images of superlative quality at ISO 100. My best
JPEG images made for 9x12" ink jet prints of photographic
quality, or 10x13s that most viewers rated as "very
good." (At 100mm equivalent; f/7.1; TTL flash; image
made at "low" setting for color, contrast and
sharpness and fine-tuned for printing in Photoshop.)

Final Evaluation
At $699, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-V1 offers good value for a rugged 5-Mp
camera with a premium-grade 4x optical zoom lens, high-speed performance,
and an incredibly rich feature set. When compared to the highly-rated
Sony DSC-F717--with its bulbous 5x zoom lens and electronic viewfinder--the
DSC-V1 is a more desirable camera. While the F717 ($749), with its larger
2/3" sensor, produces even higher image quality, the V1 is more
convenient and portable; it also includes extra user-adjustable options
for greater versatility. If you're on a tight budget but want a
"less complicated" 5-Mp camera that's even smaller,
check out the Cyber-shot DSC P92. Equipped with a Sony 3x zoom lens, three-point
autofocus system, five Program modes and the most important overrides,
it's a bargain at the street price of $429.

CONS
· Inconsistent and often poor white balance in shade and in overcast
conditions; need to set Custom white balance or use image enhancing software,
especially for pleasing skin tones
· Maximum burst depth of 3 frames is inadequate
· Somewhat complicated to operate; numerals on LCD screen are too
small
· Short battery life (84 minutes shooting time when using LCD screen)